Dental Implants

What are dental implants?

Your natural teeth are all supported by roots beneath the gum line. Dental implants are artificial replacements for these sturdy roots that can be used to support prosthetic replacement teeth. If you’re missing teeth, dental implants help restore your smile and enhance your appearance.

Dental implants are permanently fixed titanium posts that are surgically inserted into your jawbone. They’re positioned in your jaw, under the gum line, holding a replaced tooth or bridge firmly.

How does a dental implant procedure work?

Once you decide to get dental implants to replace missing teeth, Dr. Farahbod and his team schedule your oral surgery.

The first step of oral surgery involves placing you under general anesthesia to minimize any discomfort during the procedure.

Then, using a special dental drill, he surgically positions the implant and inserts it into your jawbone. Now, your jawbone needs time to heal and allow the implant to naturally fuse to the bone. This process, which is called osseointegration, takes several months. In the meantime, Dr. Farahbod attaches a temporary prosthetic to the implant.

Once your jawbone is fully healed, you return for a follow-up visit. During this visit, he attaches a permanent prosthetic — which may be a crown or a bridge — that will restore your smile and fill any gaps.

What are the benefits of dental implants?

The main benefit of dental implants is the support and durability they provide. With implants, your replacement teeth won’t slip or slide around inside your mouth. They’re firmly rooted in the posts that have naturally fused to your jawbone.

Also, besides enhancing your smile, implants prevent oral health risks posed by missing teeth. For example, when you have gaps in your smile, the surrounding teeth are likely to shift into the empty spaces. This abnormal growth can lead to crooked teeth, which are harder to keep clean and become more susceptible to decay or gum disease.

How long do dental implants last?

With proper care and management, there’s no reason your implants can’t last a lifetime. The key to ensuring your implants last is treating them like natural teeth. Make sure to brush and floss regularly and maintain regular visits at Westminster Family Dentistry for checkups and professional cleanings.

To schedule a consultation for dental implants at the office, call today.